The Community of Madrid will allocate over 2.5 million euros for the acquisition of 130,000 doses of the intranasal flu vaccine, doubling the previous investment. This measure will extend the coverage of this immunization to children up to 7 years old, expanding the current range which covers ages 2 to 4.
The upcoming campaign will be the fourth in which Madrid's public health system offers this vaccine, introduced in the 2023/24 season. Initially, over 20,500 minors were immunized, and in the 2025 campaign, coverage reached more than 100,000 children. With the new batch, the aim is to surpass the 45% coverage achieved recently.
These preparations contain attenuated viruses and are designed to simulate a natural infection, generating a cellular and mucosal immune response. Their side effects are mild, such as nasal congestion or low-grade fever. As it does not require an injection, the vaccine is more comfortable and better accepted by children, and it also helps prevent disease transmission to their contacts.
The General Directorate of Public Health recommends that parents and guardians of children in this age group request the vaccine at their health center. For infants between 6 and 23 months, a different type of vaccine will be administered, as the intranasal one is only authorized for ages 2 and above. The autumn flu vaccination campaign will also include individuals over 60 years old and at-risk groups, such as pregnant women, chronically ill individuals, and essential service personnel.
